Israeli officials allege the co-pilot stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar and tried to crash the aircraft before passengers and crew subdued him. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saudi authorities arrested and questioned the suspect. India’s embassy in Riyadh said Machchhar was receiving treatment in a Tabuk hospital and was reported to be in stable condition, pending a full medical update.
The passengers reached Israel aboard a replacement aircraft. Flydubai has suspended all flights to and from Israel during the investigation and is providing support and alternative arrangements where possible. The airline said the reasons and motives behind the incident remained unknown and that it would review the suspension as more information became available.